Research from industry experts indicates that family-owned dining establishments generally demonstrate strong performance across varying economic circ...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Research from industry experts indicates that family-owned dining establishments generally demonstrate strong performance across varying economic circumstances, sustaining consistent clientele through periods of both economic growth and decline. Due to this adaptive capability, these businesses may _______ economic volatility more effectively than large restaurant chains. The adjustments that these enterprises implement during periods of uncertainty tend to be limited in scope and maintainable over time.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
gain advantage from
adapt to
contend against
stem from
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Research from industry experts indicates that family-owned dining establishments generally demonstrate strong performance across varying economic circumstances, sustaining consistent clientele through periods of both economic growth and decline." |
|
| "Due to this adaptive capability," |
|
| "[MISSING WORD]" |
|
| "these businesses may ________ economic volatility more effectively than large restaurant chains." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Family-owned restaurants handle economic volatility better than large chains because of their adaptive capabilities.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that family restaurants perform consistently across different economic conditions, then argues this adaptive capability allows them to handle economic volatility more effectively than large chains.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The missing word needs to show how family restaurants use their "adaptive capability" in relation to "economic volatility"
- The word should capture how they handle or respond to economic changes successfully
gain advantage from
✗ Incorrect
- This suggests family restaurants profit from economic volatility itself, but the passage says they handle instability well, not benefit from it
adapt to
✓ Correct
- This directly connects to "adaptive capability" mentioned right before the blank and shows they adjust flexibly to economic changes
contend against
✗ Incorrect
- This implies fighting against economic volatility, but the passage presents family restaurants as successful at handling changes
stem from
✗ Incorrect
- This means "originate from" which would suggest restaurants come from economic volatility, making no logical sense